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This month’s books are intended for the smallest of readers – from those little enough to sit in laps to those who are picking out words on their own. There are books of poetry, of whimsy, and of a familiar fairy tale with a twist – all the better to intrigue little readers and get them on track. For ages 2-7 Winter Friends Written by Mary Quattlebaum; illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Doubleday, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) There is a certain poetry to be found in a snowfall, and author-poet Mary Quattlebaum beautifully captures winter images in this lovely volume. Whether it’s watching a silent snow fall from the sky, sledding down a hill, or simply making hot chocolate, readers will relate to a child’s joy in the winter wonderland. The watercolor illustrations, dreamy and in muted colors, make a nice accompaniment. And You Can Come Too Written by Ruth Ohi (Annick Press, paperback, 30 pages, $5.95) Two sisters spend the whole day playing together without fighting. That is, until Sara gives Annie a shove, which daddy happens to see. Sara is so angry at being chastised that she decides to run away. But little sister Annie will miss her, so Sara says she can go, too. The runaways end up in the back yard under a tent with mom and daddy, and all is forgiven and forgotten. This simple story will appeal both to children, who occasionally get so angry they want to run away, and to wise parents who let them cool down on their own. Three Hungry Pigs and the Wolf Who Came to Dinner By Charles Santore (Random House, hardcover, 32 pages, $16.95) Bianca the pig is a truffle hunter’s worst nightmare: Though she is excellent at sniffing out the delicacies, she and her piglets just can’t stop themselves from eating them. The farmer banishes the pigs to the forest. There they encounter a hungry wolf. But instead of being afraid of him, Bianca pops a truffle in his mouth and teaches him to hunt for them. And in a nifty twist on the usual pig-and-wolf story, he ends up protecting the pigs from a hungry, marauding pack of wolves. The language is a little more complex than the other books here, but children will love the story as well as the pictures, which are expressive and luminously painted in oil colors. Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection Written by Rev. W. Awdry; illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby and John Kenney (Random House, hardcover, 508 pages, $29.95) The child who loves trains and everything about them will adore this volume of Thomas the Tank Engine stories. Written more than 60 years ago by a father for his son, the trains in the story were inspired by real-life steam engines, to which the author assigned names and personalities. The 14 stories are simple and charming and timeless. Emily Works Out Written by Betty Lou Phillips; illustrated by Sharon Watts (Gibbs Smith, hardcover board books, $6.95) Emily is a lively little monkey who is all over the place – as is this monkey’s way. In the first book, she hikes, she bikes, she does jumping jacks. And when the day is over, she sleeps peacefully. In the second book, Emily litters, but then turns around and puts the trash in the garbage can. She sneezes, then remembers to cover her mouth. And she always, always, remembers to say thank you. Children – little girls, especially – will love Emily’s energy and her stylish clothing. Plus, she’s just plain fun. Follow That Fly! Written by Mike McClintock; illustrated by Fritz Siebel (Random House, hardcover board book, 14 pages, $8.99) A little boy is sitting by a lake, trying to relax when a fly zips by. Then a frog, then a cat and a dog. What is going on around here? This retelling of Mike McClintock’s beginning-reader classic is charmingly done with interactive elements – all the better to keep emerging readers interested. Little Pea Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Jen Corace (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 30 pages, $12.95) Little Pea is a happy little guy – he loves to run and play with his pea pals. There’s only one problem: When you’re a pea, you’ve got to eat your candy before you’re allowed to eat dessert, and Little Pea just hates candy. His parents plead and wheedle, until finally he gives in and eats all his candy. His reward for dessert? A big bowl of spinach. Kids and parents will love the flip in the familiar battle to get kids to eat their veggies. The watercolor and ink drawings are sweet and charming. Here Comes Grandma! Written by Janet Lord; illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Henry Holt and Company, hardcover, 26 pages, $12.95) Grandma is coming for a visit, and she will go to any length to get here: She’ll pull on her boots and walk; she’ll leap on a horse and ride; she’ll race a submarine and glide through the ocean. What child wouldn’t love an adventurous grandmother like that? This tale, with wonderful illustrations done in gouache, was written by two sisters in tribute to their indomitable mother – and it’s a charming and funny testament. The Best Time to Read Written by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom; illustrated by Michael Garland (Random House, hardcover, 32 pages, $14.95) A young boy has learned to read – not just picture books, but word books. He is very proud of this accomplishment, but there’s just one problem: His family is too busy to sit and listen to him. He tries everyone from mom and dad to the dog, but they have their own things to do. Told in rhyming text, and illustrated in vivid colors, this is a sequel to the authors’ first book, “The Best Place to Read.” It contains a situation that many families face: sometimes just being too busy to sit and spend some time with books and each other. Maybe this boy’s love for reading will encourage other kids – and get other families – to slow down and listen. February is Black History Month and four new books have been published to reflect America’s heritage. OC Family Magazine reviewed: “ Keep Climbing, Girls” (By Beah E. Richards, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, softcover, 32 pages, $15.95. For ages 4-8) The story opens with a determined little girl in a tree, who has ambitions as high as the tallest branch. As she so well knows, “the path of life goes up and up, not down!” It is Miss Nettie, the adult, who learns from the child. Written with verve and action by Beah E. Richards, illustrator R. Gregory Christie uses lively colors without intruding on the story. Other books out this month by Simon & Schuster include: • “Jackie’s Bat” (by Marybeth Lorbieki, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, for ages 5-8): Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the year Jackie Robinson broke professional baseball’s color barrier; • “From Slave to Soldier” (by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Brian Floca, for ages 6-8): A story about a boy who escapes slavery to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War; • “The Return of Buddy Bush” (by Shelia P. Moses, for ages 12 and up): A story about family and justice. |
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